Buchanan County authorities have arrested three Winthrop residents allegedly involved in a sizable marijuana growing operation. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant early this morning (Wednesday) at a rural Winthrop home where they found a large quantity of marijuana, marijuana plants and equipment for growing, packaging and consuming marijuana.
Twenty-two-year-old Justin Newman and 19-year-old Lacey Denton are being charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, drug tax stamp violation, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Twenty-two-year-old Benjamin Pillard was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. All three were taken to the Buchanan County Jail in Independence.